Cygnet Heathers provides neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative rehabilitation for men with mental health difficulties and acquired brain injury, supporting individuals on their recovery journey with the aim of enabling them to return to the community.
During the visit, Antonia, Labour MP for Tipton and Wednesbury toured the hospital and met with staff and service users, gaining an insight into the range of therapeutic, educational and vocational opportunities available to those in the service.
She also learnt more about the hospital’s model of care and how it supports men to recover from traumatic brain injuries and rebuild their independence.
Antonia said: “It was a pleasure to visit Cygnet Heathers and meet staff and individuals being supported at the service. I was impressed with everything they are doing and the outcomes they are achieving for the men in their care. I was able to hear about their educational and vocational opportunities, alongside their model of care which is enabling men to recover from a traumatic brain injury to ultimately be discharged back into the community.
“I am grateful I had the opportunity to visit and look forward to doing so again in the future.”
As part of the visit, Antonia also learnt how the hospital’s physical environment has been carefully designed using a Total Communication Environment approach. Zoned colour schemes, advanced picture navigation systems, contrast furniture and other visual cues are used throughout the service to provide predictability and consistency, helping to reduce confusion and support communication for service users.
Antonia met with key members of the Cygnet Heathers leadership team including Hospital Manager Hayley Walker, Operations Director Natalie Knibbs, Head of Care Janet Shuttleworth and Responsible Clinician Dr MD Ashraful Bari, who shared insights into the service’s outcomes and the positive impact of its specialist rehabilitation programmes.
Hayley Walker, Hospital Manager at Cygnet Heathers, said: “We were delighted to welcome Antonia to Cygnet Heathers and to have the opportunity to showcase the high-quality care and rehabilitation we provide. Visits like this are incredibly valuable as they help build strong relationships with our local representatives and increase understanding of the vital role specialist neuropsychiatric services play in supporting people with complex needs.
“It was a pleasure to show Antonia around the hospital, introduce her to our dedicated staff and the men we support, and demonstrate the positive outcomes that can be achieved through our recovery-focused model of care. We look forward to continuing to work with our local MP to highlight the importance of specialist rehabilitation services within the community.”